Former camp operators of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 2.0 are still trying to get compensation, even after five years the programme was abolished.
The Welfare Association of Former National Service Training Camp Employers (PKB PPKN) president Mohd Rawi Mohd Arof said they have made various efforts to recoup their losses when their contracts were terminated 27 months early.
They have met with three prime ministers - Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob - in addition to the previous defence minister Mohamad Sabu, but to no avail.
"The claim did not progress to the next stage because of the changes in government that have taken place," he continued.
Rawi said they had also sent an official letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in September but there was no further development.
"I feel very sad because our complaints are not heeded by the government now.
"We are only asking for compensation for 27 months of rent," he said when contacted by Malaysiakini.
Malaysiakini is trying to get a response from the Prime Minister's Office regarding the matter.
The operators are demanding RM224 million for 57 camps nationwide for compensation for the termination of contracts 27 months early, with an average claim of about RM145,500 per month.
Rawi himself owns a camp in Gambang, Kuantan.
Prior cancellation
When Pakatan Harapan became the government for the first time, it abolished the programme on Sept 3, 2018, on the grounds of excessive costs of around RM700 million per year.
The cancellation of the contract to camp operators was issued by the chief secretary to the government who said the contractor was not eligible to claim any compensation and damages.
Meanwhile, Rawi said that even though they were told they would not get compensation, they still hoped that the matter could be renegotiated.
"We have complied with all the wishes of the government, more than what has been requested even though those things are not in the contract.
"For example, the government asked to build a computer room and enlarge the store in camps.
"We obeyed, even though there was no additional payment from the government at that time," he said.
Following the cancellation, he said, they suffered billions of ringgit in losses.
He also revealed that there were camp operators who were old at the time and had to use their children's names as bank loan guarantors to continue the construction of the camps.
As a result, said Rawi, a few of them went bankrupt and were blacklisted.
"We hope the government will listen to our woes because this order to terminate the contract has had a big impact on the businesspersons," said Rawi.
The Harapan-led government this time, however, agreed to re-implement PLKN - referred to as PKLN 3.0 - with a shorter period of 45 days.
However, it will only be located in existing military camps and will not involve PLKN camps run by private parties as before. - Mkini
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